Bare Ankles Are In
This morning I read a fun article in the New York Times by Eric Wilson titled, “The Art of the Pants Roll.” I found the whole thing enjoyable. The writing was amusing… I actually laughed out loud at the coffee shop. Wilson’s observations, such as “Legions of young men… are rolling up their pants legs to such high-water lengths that one is tempted to inquire where exactly the auditions for the Huckleberry Finn revival are being held” or “By the way, there are several don’ts… No bootleg pants, which should be burned anyway” caught me off guard. In a good way. Where IS the flood?
To be honest, I like the trend… maybe not on me so much. Like they say, getting the roll right is harder than it looks. I have noticed on the few occasions I’ve bared my ankles… or socks, that the roll does help keep me cooler. During these hot days, every bit helps. After returning from NY, I forgot men were rolling up their pants, except on the rare occasion they showed up on a fashion blog. Truth is, I just don’t see it happen much here in Denver. Like so many other trends… good or bad. [Side note: I've been perusing needle+thread and le 21ème lately, two seattle street style/fashion blogs. Check them out.] Speaking of… where’s Denver’s needle+thread or le 21ème? If you have any insight, let us boys know.
I also found it interesting that the NYTs had taken so long to report on this. During some recent visits to New York (the last in May), I was struck by the large number of men that were rolling up their pants and jeans. At one point it felt just as Wilson describes it, “the rolled cuff epidemic of 2010.” It was a little overwhelming. I had an in-depth conversation about it with my brother. One explanation he shared revolved around a friend who explained that their choice was recession related. In other words, one could not be bothered by a visit to their tailor and actually pay the $10 to have their jeans properly hemmed. I could live with that…
the trend being related to the recession is an interesting concept but I’m not sure I completely buy that. it’s one thing if men don’t want to pay to have their pants tailored but rolling them up *that* high doesn’t make much sense. they kind of resemble ghetto capris.
I don’t mind the trend and I’m guilty of rolling up my jeans occasionally to keep them from dragging on the floor. but I agree: where *is* the flood? interesting read.
Men’s pants cropped between the ankle and mid-calf, or “manpris” as the gays like to call them, kind of look ridiculous… I agree, Joshua. It doesn’t make much sense to do this to one’s own pants.
I did forget to mention that I caught a stylish young boy getting on my bus this morning wearing a pair of reasonably cuffed Levi’s and a plain white t-shirt. It was a very good look.
That boy in the second picture is too adorable with his rolled cuffs and canvas tote! (You know how I love a canvas tote.) I don’t know exactly where it’s come from or why but I’ve also noticed a lot of rolling in my trips to SF. And not the one thick roll (almost like a fold), but multiple rolls to create a thinner cuff.
A thought, very much related to SF: maybe inspired by the large numbers of boys on bicycles who roll up their pants to keep them from catching in the chain?
Blake, You know how I love a tote as well and that boy IS adorable.
I often thought it might have been related to hipster bicyclists… they seem to have had an influence on a number of trends.
i also don’t think this rolled cuff trend is recession related. if the pants are too long, then that’s going to be one seriously fat cuff. and i bet, if the men above unrolled their cuff, their pants would hit at just the right spot, not too long. with that said, i completely agree with the bike messenger relationship. or maybe the italians. they are infamous for wearing too short a trouser.
ps. women are doing this too. and i like. http://www.hanneli.com/?p=1863
i love that you posted about this!
Casey, I love that you loved that we posted about this! I like the Hanneli site. Have you seen: http://jakandjil.blogspot.com/
Denver has had floods historically, but there’s no beach nearby to amplify the illusion that the wearer is about to jump on the subway and go out to Coney Island. When REI or EMS start selling skinny jeans with rollable cuffs, then Denver will go for them. But I don’t think that’s going to happen.
i love jak and jill!
have fun in palm springs. take note of all the ridiculous named shops. lots that start with p.s. i expect a full report.